Chapter 346

In fact, since records began, no human lord's trial has ever seen territory levels this extreme.

Every step Chen Ping takes now is setting a new record.

But even so, he is still not satisfied.

Upon hearing the horn signaling the assembly of the Jiuzhou Legion, the former dispersing subjects immediately rushed back with renewed enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, the alien lords of the Development Alliance were just brought before Chen Ping.

"Ladies and gentlemen, long time no see—I've missed you all."

Chen Ping stepped forward to greet each alien lord with a handshake and thanked them for their gifts.

In truth, they had only been separated for a week.

But for both Chen Ping and the alien lords, it truly felt like a full year had passed.

The events of this short week were simply too dense, too intense.

A global announcement had been issued.

Now, in the Wan Zu Trial Arena, saying Chen Ping's name strikes fear into the aliens is an exaggeration.

But making them retreat upon hearing his name? That is absolutely true.

Chen Ping directly invited the alien lords up to the Lord's Hall and brought them to the Watchtower to observe the legion assembly.

The Watchtower's position was unobstructed by the World Tree; from here, one could see the Jiuzhou Training Grounds clearly.

The Four Guards, having just returned, had already replenished their garrison personnel and now waited in formation on the Training Grounds.

Each of the Four Guards radiated a sharp, piercing aura.

Even from afar, the alien lords felt their eyes ache from the intensity.

It was these four legions that had shattered the encircling Hunting Alliance in direct combat outside the Tianqu Alliance territory.

Then they marched straight to the summit of Shengshan.

With their lord, they broke the ultimate trial of this era's first realm in the Wan Zu Trial.

Merely seeing these four legions made all the lords' hidden thoughts vanish into thin air.

Especially those who had once suggested relocation—now the lords silently glared at that one.

Look at these legions—dare you relocate? You'd likely be wiped out halfway.

Do you really think this human race is easygoing? Come when you please, leave when you wish?

The lord himself wiped sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, not daring to speak.

He remembered the Xuling lord who had been taken away—his fate was anything but good.

On the Training Grounds, the exuberant Centaur Legion and the Shenji Camp had also arrived.

Dozens of Golden Flying Dragons landed in the distance; several of them bowed their heads to Da Huang.

On the ground beside them, a cellar door opened, and out crawled a host of mighty General Ants.

Within the tunnel, a substantial number of Ant Legion troops were gathered.

Su Fei was a Jiuzhou subject, but her ant colony could not enjoy the privileges of a rule-bound citizen.

Thus, compared to other legions, the Ant Legion's strength had sunk to the bottom.

But Su Fei didn't care—she could summon as many ants as she wanted; they were meant to be consumables.

As long as a few General Ants survived, it was enough.

Nearly eighty percent of the shells of those General Ants were infused with Divine Metal.

Killing a General Ant was no simple matter.

When Milan saw the Jiuzhou legions fully assembled, she no longer waited—she waved her hand and ordered immediate departure.

A logistics officer had already handed her a storage bracelet filled with food and medicinal supplies.

Each legion took their share in turn, then marched out of Jiuzhou territory in perfect step.

Milan naturally rode atop Da Huang, holding a simple hand-drawn map.

It was the intelligence map compiled by Lin Na after interrogating the Xuling lord, showing the locations of major races.

The Shengling territory was over five hundred kilometers from the Tianqu territory, requiring passage over several mountains.

A conservative estimate: five days.

In Milan's hand was also a bracelet containing the last reserves of energy crystals from the Tianqu Alliance.

She had taken them all out because the journey was long—she feared encountering Magic Energy invasion en route and having no defense.

Milan's plan was to shatter the Shengling territory before Magic Energy invasion arrived.

Seize their energy crystals, and then she could rest easy during the Magic Energy invasion.

Energy crystals consumed twice to three times faster in the wild than within territory.

The larger the area, the higher the consumption multiplier.

"Tianqu!"

"Wan Sheng!"

Before each legion marched out, they unleashed their aura—each roar like thunder exploding in the alien lords' hearts.

Just after the last Centaur Legion departed, Chen Ping suddenly spoke:

"Ladies and gentlemen, since we're marching against Shengling, I'd like to invite you to witness it."

He turned with a smile—but his words stunned the alien lords into silence.

Whether it was the expedition against Shengling or the invitation to witness, the alien lords were shaken.

Some with weak nerves could no longer stand, their legs trembling uncontrollably.

"Dear Lord of Jiuzhou, we are not a warrior race—what use would witnessing serve us?"

The Yaling lord, though terrified, as one of the Development Alliance's leaders, had to speak up.

He thought perhaps he could offer a batch of supplies as support for the expedition.

But Chen Ping shook his head.

"Marching against Shengling is only one matter—I need you to bring back all the other Development Alliance lords."

"For the next six months, I need more technical support. Do you understand?"

Do you understand?

Chen Ping asked politely, but everyone heard the firmness in his voice—it was unmistakably a non-negotiable demand.

Beside him, Lin Na gently adjusted her glasses; the reflection off the lenses sent a chill through the lords.

Nearby, Saerduo stepped forward, dropping to one knee before Chen Ping.

"Saerduo requests to join the expedition. I will lead and protect these alliance lords."

"Agreed. Then they are in your hands."

"Master, rest assured."

Saerduo bowed to Chen Ping, then walked to the Yaling lords.

Tall and straight, he stood over 1.9 meters—no less imposing than the aliens.

His resolute expression and the aura cultivated since childhood were intensely oppressive.

"Please, ladies and gentlemen—I will protect you."

Saerduo gestured with an unyielding hand, his right hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

The Yaling lord immediately understood Saerduo's meaning—he turned to Chen Ping, only to find Chen Ping had already turned away.

A faintly translucent little girl floated beside him, chatting and laughing as if they were old friends.

The Yaling lord instantly knew: today, he had no choice but to go.

He could only nod with a forced smile to Saerduo.

"Then, may we bring our lord's guard units?"

"Naturally. But in that case, please also bring energy crystals."

Being allowed to bring guards was good—at least some sense of security.

A few energy crystals? What did it matter?

The lords followed Saerduo away; the Golden Legion, having received the assembly order, swiftly joined them.

Only then did Lin Na step beside Chen Ping.

Now, atop the Watchtower, only Chen Ling, Lin Na, and Chen Ping remained.

"Lin Na, first task—I need a dimensional passage opened in the territory."

"Build it to the standard of a large-scale spatial teleportation array."

Lin Na nodded—she had been to Shenzhou World and knew Chen Ling could traverse between realms.